Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

What are the tonsils?

The tonsils are small, round pieces of tissue that are located in the back of the mouth on the side of the throat. Tonsils are thought to help fight infections by producing antibodies. The tonsils can usually be seen in the throat of your child by using a light.

Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become inflamed from infection.

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are similar to the tonsils. The adenoids are made up of lymph tissue and are located in the space above the soft roof of the mouth (nasopharynx) and cannot be seen by looking in your child's nose or throat. Adenoids also help to fight infections. Adenoids may cause problems if they become enlarged or infected.

Adenoiditis is when the adenoids become inflamed from infection.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

The symptoms of tonsillitis vary greatly depending on the cause of the infection, and can occur either suddenly or gradually. The following are the most common symptoms of tonsillitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Sore throat

Fever (either low-grade or high-grade)

Headache

Decrease in appetite

Not feeling well

Nausea and vomiting

Stomach aches

Painful swallowing

Visual redness or drainage in the throat

The symptoms of tonsillitis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always see your child's health care provider for a diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of adenoiditis, or enlarged adenoids?

The symptoms of adenoiditis vary greatly depending on the cause of the infection, and can occur either suddenly or gradually. The following are the most common symptoms of adenoiditis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Breathing through the mouth

Noisy breathing

Snoring

Nasal speech

Periods at night when breathing stops for a few seconds

The symptoms of adenoiditis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always see your child's health care provider for a diagnosis..

Treatment for tonsillitis and adenoiditis

Specific treatment for tonsillitis and adenoiditis will be determined by your child's health care provider based on:

Your child's health care provider will decide the best treatment for your child. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection, the severity of the infection, and the number of times the child has developed infections. Your child's health care provider may order antibiotics to help with the infection.

Some children may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat surgeon to have the tonsils and adenoids removed. This surgery is called a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A). Often, the tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time, but, sometimes, only one is removed. Your child's doctor will discuss this with you.

What are the reasons to have a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A)?

The reasons for this surgery are not well-defined, and many surgeons differ in their views. The following are some of the more widely accepted reasons for having a T&A:

Sleep apnea, or periods at night when your child stops breathing

Trouble swallowing

Tumor in the throat or nasal passage

Bleeding from the tonsils that cannot be stopped

Significant blockage of the nasal passage and uncomfortable breathing

The following are T&A Guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology:

Seven throat infections in one year

Five throat infections in each of two years

Three throat infections in each of three years

The guideline defines throat infections as having at least one of the following:

Fever above 101 degrees

Discharge on the tonsils

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Positive strep throat culture

The following are additional reasons that are more controversial regarding the removal of the adenoids and tonsils:

Bad snoring

Recurrent infections or abscesses in the throat

Recurrent ear infections

Hearing loss

Chronic sinusitis, or infection in the sinuses

Constant mouth breathing

Frequent colds

Cough

Bad breath

The following are some situations that DO NOT require removal of the tonsils, although each child will be evaluated on an individual basis:

Large tonsils. Some children have large tonsils. The tonsils will decrease in size after the ages of eight to 12 years. This, in itself, is not a reason to remove the tonsils, in most cases.

School absence. If your child seems to miss a lot of school due to different symptoms, such as a sore throat, removing the tonsils will not increase school attendance.

Poor appetite, allergies, or seizures. A T&A will not likely help any of these problems.

What happens during tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

The need for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) surgery will be determined by your child's ear, nose, and throat surgeon and discussed with you. Most T & A surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. This means that your child will have surgery and then go home the same day. Some children may be required to stay overnight, such as, but not limited to, children who:

Are not drinking well after surgery.

Have other chronic diseases or problems with seizures.

Have complications after surgery, such as bleeding.

Are younger than three years of age.

Have sleep apnea diagnosed be a sleep study. Depending on the severity of sleep apnea, your surgeon may elect to watch your child overnight.

Before the surgery, you will meet with different members of the health care team who are going to be involved with your child's care. These may include:

Day surgery nurses. Nurses who prepare your child for surgery. Operating room nurses assist the doctors during surgery. Recovery room (also called the Post Anesthesia Care Unit) nurses care for your child as he or she emerges from general anesthesia.

Surgeon. A doctor who specializes in surgery of the ear, nose, and throat.

Anesthesiologist. A doctor with specialized training in anesthesia. He or she will complete a medical history and physical examination and formulate a plan of anesthesia for your child. The plan will be discussed with you and your questions will be answered. This surgery requires a general anesthesia.

During the surgery, your child will be anesthetized in the operating room. The surgeon will remove your child's tonsils and adenoids through the mouth. There will be no cut on the skin.

In most cases, after the surgery, your child will go to a recovery room where he or she can be monitored closely. After the child is fully awake and doing well, the recovery room nurse will bring the child back to the day surgery area.

At this point, if everything is going well, you and your child will be able to go home. If your child is going to stay the night in the hospital, the child will be brought from the recovery room to his or her room. Usually, the parents are in the room to meet the child.

Bleeding is a complication of this surgery and should be addressed immediately by the surgeon. If the bleeding is severe, the child may return to the operating room.

At home after a T&A

The following are some of the instructions that may be given to you to help care for your child:

Increased fluid intake

Pain medication, as prescribed

No heavy or rough play for a duration of time recommended by the surgeon

What are the risks of having a T&A?

Any type of surgery poses a risk to a child. A small percentage of children begin bleeding from the surgery site about five to eight days after the surgery, and may require additional blood and/or surgery. Some children may have a change in the sound of their speech due to the surgery. The following are some of the other complications that may occur:

Bleeding (may happen during surgery, immediately after surgery, or at home)

Dehydration (due to decreased fluid intake; if severe, fluids through an intravenous, or IV, catheter in the hospital may be necessary)

Fever

Difficulty breathing (swelling of the area around the surgery; may be life-threatening if not treated immediately)

Disclaimer:This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.